Automakers call truce on diesel vs petrol row
Members of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufactureres(SIAM) have come to a consensus over the burning issue of emission. The consensus is that the type of fuel used by a vehicle should be of no concern as long as the exhaust coming out of it complies with the emission norms.
Split personality
Toyota's hybrid Prius saloon is powered by both an electric motor and a petrol engine - a combination that's designed to be clean and miserly with fuel, but without the performance constraints of pure electric vehicles, such as low speeds and limited range. Hybrid cars offer the best of both …
California's first attempt to use rice waste to fuel cars
California's first attempt to turn rice shubble and tree trimmings into ethanol resembles a scene from "Back to the Future," the 1980s movie in which trash was dumped into one end of a machine and pure energy comes out the other. The proposed "bio-refinery" will convert thousands of tons of …
Ban on pvt. diesel vehicles in NCR mooted
The Environment Pollution(Prevention & Control) Authority (EPA) for the National Capital Region(NCR) which is said to have recommended a ban on diesel-driven private vehicles which, in its application, would largely include diesel passenger cars. According to sources in the automobile industry, in its final report on the issue, which was …
Karnataka studying use of LPG in autorickshaws
The Transport Department is working at an action plan to help all the 1.25 lakh autorickshaws change over to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as fuel from January 1,2000.An interim order directing autos in the State to run on LPG was passed earlier to run on LPG was passed earlier this …
Market forces behind 'green' diesel
Ecologists seldom give credit to market forces for inproving the environment but the low sulphur diesel promise of Indian Oil Corporation has forced some to change their opinion. The supply of low sulphur diesel is entirely due to market forces, notes the Centre for Science and Environment, which has been …
EU agrees on taxes for heavy goods vehicles
European Transport Ministers have agreed on a Europe-wide system for taxing heavy goods vehicles according to the environmental impact, and an agreement for Switzerland to allow transit of larger vehicles subject to a per-journey tax. The Proposed 'Eurovignette Directive' is intended to develop the internal market for road transport, and …
EU says close to CO2 deal with Japanese carmakers
The European Union is inching towards agreement with Japanese carmakers on a voluntary scheme to cut pollution, a European Commission spokesman said on Monday. Japanese manufacturers have until October to agree to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars in line with undertakings given last year by European companies and …
Pollution caused by city buses discussed
The City Police today held a meeting at Adabari Bus Station complex for discussing in detail problems caused by citybuses in creating pollution. The meeting was attended by City SP Sri B J Mahanta, DSP(Traffic) Sri B N Sharma, a doctor representing the local office of the World Health Organisation(WHO) …
CNG shortage drives vehicles off roads
A large number of public transport vehicles, using compact natural gas (CNG) kits and running on different city routes of Karachi (Pakistan), have been withdrawn by transporters following an increase in the gas prices. Similarly, the taxis and other private vehicle owners have been facing problems in refilling, and have …
Fresh focus for clean challenge
The painstakingly reasserted international commitment to cutting carbon dioxide emissions made at the latest United Nations conference on climate change in Buenos Aires has refocused the motor industry's attention on the environmental challenges of building cleaner cars. However, many carmakers still appear undecided and insecure in their strategies towards communicating …
Time to reconsider
In the world of US motor vehicle emission standards, California is once again setting the trend. In the mid 1960s the state was the first in the country to require emission control on cars. That move eventually led to the 1970 Clean Air Act that founded the Environmental Protection Agency …
Eco-friendly motor oil
An edible motor oil from Canola and other vegerable oils has been developed by a researcher in the US. It does not pollute air and cuts overall engine emission up to 30 per cent.
Surface transport ministry to notify modified EuroII norms soon
The ministry of surface transport will notify Euro II norms with some changes shortly. The new norms, to be called Modified India 2000 norms, will be effective in the National Capital Region (NCR ) from April 1, 2000. A decision to this effect was taken by the Standing Committee on …
Hetatuda bans Vikram tempos
Hetatuda Muncipality in Nepal has decided to ban diesel-operated three wheelers from operating them in Hetatuda Muncipality. At a time when there is also not a systematic park for the 125 auto rickshaws operating in Hetauda town, Hetauda munciplality has decided to request Transport Management Office, Birgunj not to register …
Enforce emission laws
The Ministry of Population Environment's decision to ban the import of two-stroke motorcycles into Nepal is indeed praiseworthy. This decision - which was obviously necessitated due to the deterirating air quality in the Kathmandu Valley - will certainly go a long way to curb Kathmandu's air pollution provided the ban …
HPCL and Times launch drive to check vehicle pollution
A 15-day drive to conduct free pollution under control (PUC) tests on motor vehicles, jointly organised by Hindusan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Times of India Group was inaugurated on Wednesday in Mumbai. Over 7,000 cars are expected to the checked during the fortnight. The project was inaugurated by …
Diesel fuels debate to pollution
The battlelines have been firmly drawn. Auto manufactueres and environmentalists are bracing themselves for September 17 when the hearing on the use of diesel as a fuel comes up before the Supreme Court for the second time. While the Automobile Manufacturers' Association's (AIAM) argument is that diesel is the fuel …
DTC buses will run on clean green fuel
In a major step towards reducing pollution in the city, Indian Oil Corporation has started supplying ultra-low sulphur diesel with sulphur content of 0.05 per cent in the National Capital Region. This diesel will come from IOC's Mathura refinery.The first consignment carrying this "green" fuel reached Delhi Transport Corporation's Indraprastha …
Nepal bans 2-stroke motorbike
Nepal has banned the import of two-stroke motorcycles in a bid to improve air quality in the Himalayan kingdom, a newspaper report said on Tuesday. Mr. Bhakta Bahadur Balayar, a junior minister in charge of population and environment, told the daily Kathmandu Post that the ban would be enforced immediately.
